Does size matter? Helpful tips to choose ideal size for a baby quilt by Claire Haillot April 23, 2018 written by Claire Haillot April 23, 2018 1.5K Warning: Before you read my post, I want to ensure that you all know this important fact: Please do keep in mind that babies should NEVER sleep with a quilt. The use of a quilt increases the risk of the sudden infant death syndrome. I have always waited until my babies were at least 6 months old and able to move on their own in their crib before adding a quilt. Finding the perfect size for a Baby quilt How many times have you wondered what size to make a baby quilt? Does Size really matter when making a baby quilt? I always wondered what the perfect quilt size for a gift is and now that my 3 boys have finished the baby stages, I have made many quilts and can tell you which ones were the best sizes. The first thing we have to determine is what is the purpose of the quilt? Is it for decorative or use? If the answer is decorative, then go for the size you feel like making. However, if the answer is for use, we need to determine what it will be used for. If you really want to have the quilt in the crib, keep in mind that a crib mattress is 27’’ x 52’’. So if you plan to have a quilt sitting nicely in a crib, consider a design within that size. I tend to make them more 28” x 54” so that once the quilting is done, they won’t have shrunk too much and I adjust before adding the binding. If you want the toddler to sleep underneath the quilt, then that size is too small. It won’t cover adequately. That’s when we look for a bigger size, such as 40″ x 60″ which is the designated batting size for baby quilts. The size is intended to be able to roll the quilt around the toddler in the crib. One of my favorite crib size quilt that I designed and made for several friends Let’s take a look at proper size if you want to make a quilt for naps. I always enjoyed creating quilts for my kids for their naps at daycare. Since I wasn’t sure of the size they needed to be, I checked with my daycare and their mattresses were 20” wide. That’s when I started making my quilts about 30” x 54”. I increased them to 40” x 60” once my eldest asked me to make him a new quilt months before starting kindergarten. When I asked him why he said: “If I tuck the quilt under my feet it won’t cover my chin and if I tuck my chin under the quilt my toes aren’t covered”. So that’s when I figured that the lengths of these quilts are determined by the size of a child once they are 4 – 5 years old. So look at their parents! If they tend to be tall (my husband and I are around 5’9″ – 10″) do make them 60” long. If they tend to be shorter, say 5’4″, it’s safe to stay in the 50″ – 54″ range. Now if you don’t want to make such a big quilt. It’s alright to go smaller. We tend to forget how small babies are when they are born! On average, a baby born at 41 weeks gestation measures 20″. So making a baby quilt measuring 20″ x 30″ is a good idea. Here is a quilt I made in a hurry, sized 24” x 34” I love making baby quilts in that size. And it also removes the pressure of wondering how the quilt will be used. I simply let the mother know that the quilt is a perfect size to: lay over a car seat, ensuring that it doesn’t cover the baby’s face cover the baby’s feet in the stroller place as a mat on the floor for baby to play and exercise You won’t have to stress over the choice of colors and they won’t feel obligated to put it in the baby’s room. It’s the perfect size for gifting. I’m hoping that I’ve been helpful in choosing the proper baby size quilt to make. The PFAFF creative icon Join me the rest of this week, as I make a baby quilt using the awesome features of the PFAFF creative icon. This is part 1 of 5 in this series. Go to part 2: 5 essential tips for quickly finishing a baby quilt [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”23735596″] Print this page or save as a PDF 0qs204baby quiltscreative iconfree patternspfaffsewing machine reviews FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail Claire Haillot Claire Haillot shares her passion for quilting among her neighbors in the United States and Canada as well as her cousins in France. Claire has been active in the quilting industry since 2004. At first, she opened a quilt shop and started to teach, write how-to guides, and translate patterns and product information into French for American companies. In 2006, she started her own line of patterns and later began publishing patterns and articles in Canadian, European, and American magazines. You might have seen some of her work in Quilter’s World, Pratique du Patchwork or Canadian Quilter. She decided to close her brick & mortar quilt shop in 2016 to be able to concentrate more on teaching, writing, and creating. She collaborated with PlumEasy patterns to launch the Dancing Diamonds and Gem bag patterns. Claire has also won a few awards for her work: • Juror’s choice in Salon 2012 • Second Place in Vermont Quilt Festival of 2014 and 2016 • Second Place in Salon 2016 • Best of show at the Quilt Festival in Chicago and Houston 2018. previous post Easy ways to organize and use up leftover quilt bindings next post 5 essential tips for quickly finishing a baby quilt YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... The trick to amazing free motion quilting for... Curved piecing makes the best heart quilt block... 10 steps to face binding a holiday table... How to center a quilt section in a... The secret behind sewing curves without using pins How the creative icon does half the work... 8 easy steps to perfect mitered corners 3 reasons why embroidering text has become an... 6 essential steps for successful machine embroidery using... 4 comments Anna Venoy May 16, 2024 - 4:40 pm I am getting ready to make a baby quilt and was looking for the different sizes. Reply Carla A. Canonico May 21, 2024 - 9:53 am Hi Anna, the different sizes are written throughout the post. Unless there’s something else you’re looking for. Let me know Reply Sandy Allen April 23, 2018 - 7:43 am Thanks for this! I have trouble figuring out what size to make baby quilts. Reply Claire Haillot April 23, 2018 - 12:36 pm You’re welcome Sandy! Glad I could help Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.